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3 Questions That Can Move Your Fans to Followers

If you haven’t noticed yet, the internet is getting awful noisy. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start a blog. You are just going to have to be strategic about it.

If you produce good content, you will have fans. A visitor may share your link on Facebook or even Twitter. They may even decide to join your mailing list.

The big question these days is: “how do I move my fans to followers?” A follower can’t wait to read your latest post. A follower is a lifetime customer. A follower wants to purchase your products & services. A follower trusts you and sees you as an authority.

You can have less traffic than other blogs and be successful if you have followers.

If you want to move your audience from fans to followers, then here are 3 essential questions to ask:

1. How can I add a more personal touch?

Fans become followers when they feel like they can connect with you. Do you tell personal stories? Do you look for ways to share your struggles, failures and successes? Early on in my blogging career I shared a personal story on my blog that connected with a lot of people. It was called: Hey Recession – This Too Shall Pass.

While written over 3 years ago, it still makes an impact when someone reads it. The question I have for you is simple: Are you hiding behind your blog? It is easy to do, but what we need to remember is blogging is all about connecting with people.

Fans become followers when they feel like they have access to you. I know that may scare some of you, but it is not as time consuming as you might think. When I first started Blogging Your Passion, I offered free 30 minute blog consultations for a whole month. Some people thought I was crazy. I believe I talked with 50+ bloggers one-on-one. I wanted to show people they have access to me.

Here is another recent example. If you have a mailing list, do you ever see this:

I use to ignore these, but not any more. These are real people. These are real opportunities. Sometimes blogging and internet marketing can become so routine for us that we let opportunity to slip past us.

Here is what I have been doing lately. I send a personal email to each one letting them know they can reply to me if they want. Not all do, but at least they know they can.

Before you think I have gone insane, I do have a standard email I send to them. You can use PhraseExpress for Windows of Text Expander for the Mac. Just use a shortcode and your text shows up. For example, I use: ‘mcpa’ and it replaces it with:

This is Jonathan from CPACareerCoach.com (Yes, it is a real email from me). I like to say hello and give a personal touch to everyone who signs up for the job search challenge.

Let me know if I can help you in any way. I enjoy helping people either land a new job or find a better career fit.

Just reply to the email if I can answer a question or be a help to you in any way.

Thanks!

This took me just a few seconds and yet the personal connection goes so far. It is not unusual to receive a quick reply like this one:

Hi Jonathan,

How are you? I recently relocated to southern California from NYC

I understand networking is the best way to find jobs but since I’m new I barely know people. I have been sending resumes every day to multiple places but no response – this is really disheartening

Any advice as to how I can start procuring job interviews? Please advise

Thank you

Now, we have started a relationship to which I can speak into her life and possibly gain a follower. Sure, it takes some work, but the point I am trying to make is that your email list is made up of real people with real challenges. Reach out to them.

2. How can I create more value?

This is a great question to ask yourself on a regular basis. The more value you create the more followers you will usually gain. You can do this two ways:

Improve old content and make it better – believe it or not your old articles may not be collecting dust. Some of my top posts every month are articles I wrote a few years ago. One thing you can do is go back to those posts and improve them in some way. I wrote an entire post on how I do this ( A Checklist for Improving Old Content on Your Blog).

Write epic content when possible – not everything has to be a 1,000+ word post. However, you should always ask yourself how you can make your post more valuable. Can you add a video to the page? Can you record a podcast about the topic? Can you add pictures to help further explain what you are talking about?

3. Am I holding anything back?

We believe that you should give out your best stuff. Many bloggers hold back because they want their readers to “buy their best stuff” in the form of a product. What they don’t realize is that people are more likely to buy if you show your best stuff. Here are 3 examples from Bob and I this past year:

We share these examples so that you can see that we practice what we preach! The point is not that you have to create an entire 30 day course and give it away for free. The point is that you shouldn’t hold anything back. You can still create courses, products and webinars and provide value at the same time.

Jonathan has been blogging since 2009 and is still in awe that the Creator of the Universe desires to have a relationship with him. His passions include spending time with his kids, reading, March Madness, surprise get-a-way trips with his wife, and watching funny YouTube videos.

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I very much agree with all that you have written. I am forwarding this to some people who could use this right now. 🙂

Jonathan Milligan

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

Mama Carmody

Jonathan, I must say that in my opinion, you and Bob do it right. I first ran across one of Bob’s postings. I liked that I didn’t HAVE to buy something to learn from you. You put a lot of great information out there for free. But because you are so open and honest I have become a follower to both of you. I have paid for your blogging classes and have really enjoyed them and gotten a lot out of them. Thanks for your openness and honesty. You have a real follower here!

Jonathan Milligan

Thanks..Mama Carmody. Appreciate the kind words. I just enjoy doing what I wish someone had done for me…. 🙂

http://twitter.com/MoneyWisePastor Money Wise Pastor

Jonathan, thanks for sharing these tips of very actionable items! While I need to work in all three of these areas, perhaps #1 (getting more personal) is one that will help me the most right now to build a community on my blogs.

Jonathan Milligan

I agree. There are many ways to answer question #1. Some are not as time intensive as we think. While I don’t think you can say yes to everyone, we can make an effort to be more personal. Hey, just thought of another one. Respond to more blog comments if you are able. That is a personal touch 🙂

http://twitter.com/artyyah A.K.Andrew

It’s a tough choice in the question about ‘Are you holding anything back’. You want a personal touch I agree, but knowing what is too personal is a thin line. I’m building an author’s platform, so I want people to get to know me , but want my personal life separate. I thought you brought up some great points eg. adding value. Just a few extra touches changes turn OK content into a good content. Good to be reminded. Thank you

Jonathan Milligan

“Just a few extra touches changes turn OK content into a good content.” Love this statement. I believe this is key

aloted

Thank you for this. I have been a silent follower for some time now but this post totally wowed me I just had to comment. You are totally right on all points it is all about being of service to others. I will definitely implementing these tips you have outlined. Many thanks.

Jonathan Milligan

Thanks for the encouragement. I am glad it was helpful.

http://marleeward.com/ Marlee

This is advice is so spot on Jonathan. I couldn’t agree more.

Jonathan Milligan

Thanks Marlee!

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